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Implantable Glucose Sensor Successful in Pigs, Diabetic Humans Next
Thanks to new research, diabetics could one day have a long-term solution to glucose monitoring. According to Technology Review, researchers implanted glucose sensors in pigs, and have concluded that they worked successfully for two years. Now, David Gough, the bioengineer who founded the company behind the pig experiment, GlySens, is petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve his invention for testing in humans. If approved, this device, which has a diameter of 3 centimeters and is about 1-centimeter thick, could change the lives of diabetics. There are other implantable glucose-monitoring devices available to diabetics, but each one must be connected via a wire to a processing unit, which has to be carried by the person and replaced every week or so. Gough's model is unique. The sensor, which would be implanted in the chest, measures glucose levels in tissue, and sends the data to a wireless receiver (like a cell phone or compute), thereby eliminating the need to continually test blood sugar. If the human trials are permitted and yield similarly successful results, this sensor could be a long-term solution for diabetes sufferers.
We've seen our diabetic friends prick their fingers enough times to know a small implant would be a major improvement. Also, a device that continuously measures blood-sugar levels and gives accurate readings will allow users to see trends in their health (e.g., spikes in sugar during times of stress). That may mean longer, healthier and happier lives for those that currently invest large amounts of time and energy into insulin management. [From: Technology Review]
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Comments
63
Subscribe to commentsRitaAug 1st 2010 8:40AM
I am a diabetec, i would love to have this device!
coolintensity1Aug 1st 2010 9:05AM
I'm diabetic but much too jaded to accept an implant from anyone.
Might well be the next attempt to pass off Real ID. I vote no.
I'll stick to the daily blood-letting, thank you very much...
hartley9444Aug 1st 2010 10:11AM
you stupid !!!!!!!!
Corona GeezerAug 2nd 2010 1:51AM
An ID device???...Sounds like you have something to hide...
CyiaAug 2nd 2010 2:12AM
I'm not a diabetic, but I do have several in my family. When I read your post, I was thinking the very same thing. It may seem far-fetched, but in these last and evil days, you never know.
TVphileAug 1st 2010 9:21AM
This month, I mark 50 years with Type I diabetes.
Oh the changes I have seen.
Something like this would be great - especially when used in conjunction with the insulin pump. For a number of years I resisted trying the pump. However - by the afternoon of my first day with it I was sold. I have had it for 3+ years now and my A1Cs have been consistantly below 7.0,
We;ve come a long way baby from the days of boiling syringes and non-disposable needles the size of nails on the stove in the morning and testing urine in a test tube at home.
Continued success in these advancements - of course I have a vested interest.
One pet peeve - I wish there was a totally separate name for the non-gestational two types of diabtes, beyond the "types"....I cannot believe the number of people who still believe that all I have to do to be "cured" is eat right, exercise more or lose weight - all worthy goals but Type I cannot be "cured" like this. Yes it can be managed - but my body does not make any insulin - hasn't for 50 years! So I and all other Type I diabetes must used manufactured insulin and technology.
H-m-m-m................What about Aretaeus's or Minkowski's Disease after some of the early physicians who "discovered" the disease?
It's not that I am above using these encounters as a teachable moment, but usually the tone in which this "advice" is given shows disinterest, disrespect and disdain as if the entire disease is mine to cure. Frustrating!
I do however live a good life thanks to some wonderful doctors and medical professionals and ever improving technologies.
DeeAug 1st 2010 10:48AM
I completely agree with you that these two separate diseases should have separate names! My daughter is 5 years old and has had type 1 diabetes since she was 3 years of age. I often have people using their "judging eyes" at her. They say to me, "well what kind of bread is she eating? does she get outside enough?" and I always have to politely explain that this is not a curable disease; as type 2 can be. It can become very frustrating!!
Bruno RonzoniAug 1st 2010 10:58AM
Congratulations for living a long, good life! It is amazing to see the strides made treating diabetes. 15 years ago, my younger brother was cured of type 1 diabetes from a kidney and pancreas transplant. After the surgery he never had to take another insulin unjection until the day he died. This was, unfortunately, 5 months after the transplant due to complications from the surgery and from being a diabetic for 29 years.
jaymieAug 1st 2010 12:49PM
I found the "explaining" part of being a type 1 diabetic to be frustrating. People think it's about what you eat. I also am overweight so I am always looked at with that glare of "quit eating" and you won't be sick. The best way I have found to explain it is to tell people about the fact it is an autoimmune disease and my body itself is not healthy. Despite eating very healthy and numerous programs I still struggle with the weight. A couple days of high BS readings and I can put on the 5lbs I lost the prior week. My case is a little odd. Didn't get it till 29 yrs old now 54 but it came out as gestational. A yr or so later the State of CA started mandatory diabetic testing for pregnant woman. I had 2 prior pregnancies and suspect I have had a problem for yrs. Shortly after pregnancy I went into Keto-acidosis and almost died. The testing showed I make no insulin and was indeed a type 1 ........Always has puzzled me.
Sarah MomAug 1st 2010 1:30PM
Sorry Dee,
Diabetes is diabetes is diabetes and is incurable regardless if the pancreas does not produce insulin or if insulin cannot be metabolized (the difference between Type 1 and Type 2). For the sake of other diabetics and yourself, do some research.
abarzeeAug 1st 2010 8:18PM
AMEN My eldest has had diabetes for 43 long years and I pray for a CURE
ARICHIE1Aug 1st 2010 9:28PM
TVphile... all I want to say to you is hip-hip-hooraaaaayyyyyy. I have had type 1 for 45 years plus and I commend you on speaking of diabetes knowledge. Yes, it's about time that type 1 is recognizable also because type 2 has it quite easy. I remember getting up, boiling needle & syringe, testing urine, etc., etc., etc. Yes, we have come a very long way but, I can go farther with each great step of medical technology relating more to diabetes. Bless you and all diabetics around the world in this lifetime, especially type 1, because we have a lot more to deal with............................................ARICHIE1
GeeAug 1st 2010 11:48PM
Wow...You are type 1 for 50 yrs! I look up to you, you are my idol! I'm type 1 for 12 yrs now...Feel like its a life time. It's so hard to control my sugar. It is making me crazy! I'm hoping for a darn cure and fast! 50 yrs...Wow unbelievable! Keep doing what you are doing! Being strong is what helps.
DorothyAug 7th 2010 6:21PM
I completely agree re: wishing there was a better way to distinguish between types of diabetes that have the potential to be "cured" (or at least put into remission) through lifestyle changes, vs. types that can't; in addition to Type I, many people with Type II also cannot be "cured" or put into remission through lifestyle changes. If your insulin production/usage is only mildly affected, exercise & diet can appear to cure it; but as people age, production/usage is likely to be increasingly affected.
I've had insulin-dependent diabetes for just about 23 years, my dad had it for about 40 before he passed away last October, and my grandfather had it for around 30 before he died. My grandfather died of kidney failure and went blind two years before he died, at age 39. My father had two kidney transplants and laser treatments for his eyes; he died of congestive heart failure after a massive heart attack. I've had home blood glucose testing available to me from the beginning, and I've been on an insulin pump for 17 of my 23 years with the disease. Improvements in technology have been wonderful!
I'm currently 5 months pregnant, and I test at least 15 times per day, including every night at 2am (more often at night if I'm low or need to take extra insulin for being high). My A1c has been between 5.5 and 5.7 since I've been pregnant, which is great for me and my baby, but it's also led to my having 4 hypoglycemic seizures in my first trimester. Avoiding those, as well as not having to prick myself so frequently that my fingers are getting calloused, would be great!
drb107Aug 1st 2010 10:16AM
ok where do I sign up I would test this product.
great grannyAug 1st 2010 12:54PM
Please sign my grandson up for this wonderful new product. i will be your testor. He is so young, only 16years old. he is thin and so tired of sticking his fingers (type 1, insulin pump) along with sticking tummy for pump. he would do better with continuous glucose meter. Thank you for caring about diabetics.
MarilynAug 1st 2010 11:33AM
I have had type 1 diabetes for 54 years. When I was young, I was told I would be dead by the time I was 40. Almost happened - I did have a heart attack and bypass surgery at 43, but have done quite well since then. I agree with your pet peeve, TVfile. People love to tell me I can't eat certain things. I know more about diabetes at this point in my life than most doctors, so I take it with a grain of salt most of the time, but it is insulting. The ignorance about type 1 extends to the medical community. I have absolute horror stories of hospital stays where the doctors and nurses did not know what they were doing.
And I'm sorry, Coolintensity1, that is just stupid. I would jump at the chance to use an implant like this!
jaymieAug 1st 2010 12:49PM
I agree wholeheartedly Marilyn. I also have hospital horror stories. Most of what I know about diabetes is self taught. I also almost died from this disease twice. Very frustrating sometimes.........
GeeAug 1st 2010 11:49PM
God Bless and unbelievable, being Type 1 for 54 yrs. I'm type 1 for 12 yrs. I honor you. It is so difficult to manage. I have such a hard time. i would love this devise. The key to this disease is being srong. What medicine do you take? I am on humolg (match insulin to carbs, and lantus at night) Keep doin what you are doing because it seems you got it down.
mutherduckAug 1st 2010 12:08PM
You are absolutely right about Doctor's in the hospital not knowing anything about diabetes. I just came home from a 7-day stay where they started out only giving me only half of the insulin dose I normally take at home. They wondered why my blood glucose readings were so high. It came down to an argument with the Hospitalist whereby I requested an endocrinologist to consult about the dosage. Brother, did he shake things up!! That hopitalist sure had egg on her face. You really have to be your own advocate and fight for what you need.